peters



@uiten tetra @anni ffies.

IMPROVEMENT IN LII'E RAIT.

dlgs rlgehule referat in in than @am atmt tra mating ont nf tige time.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN':

Be it known that I, JAMES MURTAUGH, of Vthe city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful improved Life Raft; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the artto make and use the same, reference being hadl to the accompanying drawings, forming part of Athis specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a sectional plan or top view of this invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention relates to a life raft, formed of two or more hollow expansible rings, one inside of the other, and fastened together-by cords, ropes, or other suitable means, in such a manner that a raft is obtained which, when not iniiated, can be stowed away in a small compass, and which, when inated, affords room for two or more persons, and enables them to sustain themselves above water, even in a rough sea.

A represents the body of my life raft, which is composed of two or more cylindrical rings, a, one insideV the other, as shown in the drawing. lhese rings are made of India-rubber cloth, or other suitable air and water-tight material, and they are provided with mouth-pieces, b,`of any suitable constructiomso that they can be iniiated at any moment, if they are to be used, or that the air can be forced out of them, `if it is desired to store the raft away. By securing two or more rings together, one inside of the other, araft is obtained of great buoyancy ;K and furthermore, the surface of the raft thus -formed aiords a convenient space for sitting down, sothat a raft of comparatively small dimensions is capable of supporting two or more persons, who may lash themselves to the rings by suitable ropes. It is obvious that, by these means, a raft can becoustructed of sufficient buoyancy to sustain-several persons, andstill light enough -to be handled with ease and convenience. Ropes, c, which are passed around the rings a; enable persons iioating in the "water to get a. good hold on the raft, and a weight,

which may be suspended from its under side` or circumference, serves to steady the raft' and prevent its being capsized. A net-work, d, of cords or ropes forms'a convenient resting place forthe legs of persons sitting on the raft, as shown in tig. 2, andra raft is thus obtained capable of saving the lives of persons in the roughest weather.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The expansible rings a a, separate, and arranged one within the other, with a net-work covering forming a lseating surface and a rest or hold for the feet, in the manner described, for the purpose specified. I

The above specification of my-in`vention signed by me this 20th day of October, 1866.

' JAMES MURTAUGH.

Witnesses:

WM. F. McNAMAna, Wt Hausnr. 

